Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – The Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers were preparing for a return to NBA action on Monday as firefighters continued to battle massive blazes that have killed at least 16 people and left thousands without homes. The NBA had postponed the Lakers’ game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday and postponed Lakers and Clippers home games on Saturday, saying they didn’t want to divert resources from the wildfire response.
But both teams were preparing to host games on Monday, the Lakers against the San Antonio Spurs and the Clippers against the Miami Heat. The Lakers announced they were launching a donation drive at their upcoming games at Crypto.com Arena “starting Monday,” with fans encouraged to bring food and non-food items for distribution to those affected by the fires.
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With more than 100,000 people still under evacuation orders, Lue was asked at Clippers practice if he thought playing Monday’s games was the right call. “It’s above my pay grade,” Lue said. “I think the NBA, they have a good handle on things that’s going on and what they need to do. So they make the decision. They know we’re going through a tough time right now in the state of California and they understand that.”
“Hopefully we can bring some kind of joy with the game coming back tomorrow,” he added, “try to put some smiles on people’s faces in tough times.” Lakers coach JJ Redick, whose home was among those destroyed in the Palisades fire, had said much the same this week even as he described the “complete devastation” in his neighborhood. Both teams have continued to hold training sessions even though players, coaches, and other staff have been affected.
Authorities warned on Sunday that renewed strong winds forecast to start on Tuesday would bring a chance of “extreme fire behavior and life-threatening conditions.” Search and rescue operations in fire-ravaged neighborhoods were just beginning, and officials were working to combat looting. “It’s very difficult,” Lue said. “People are losing their homes, people are losing schools, losing lives. It’s very difficult to focus in on basketball because life is bigger than basketball.”
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